Lawrence Brownlee facts for kids

Brownlee, 2018

Lawrence Brownlee, born on November 24, 1972, is a famous American opera singer. He is a tenor, which means he sings the highest male vocal parts in opera. People especially know him for his beautiful voice in a style called bel canto. This style focuses on smooth, flowing melodies and showing off a singer's vocal skill.

Speight Jenkins, who used to lead the Seattle Opera, said that Lawrence Brownlee has a very beautiful and full sound. He also praised Brownlee's amazing high notes. Another famous singer, Joyce DiDonato, described his voice as "honey." She also said he is very skilled and agile with his voice.

Early Life and Music

Lawrence Brownlee grew up in Youngstown, Ohio. He did not listen to much classical music when he was young. However, he had a very musical childhood. He played the trumpet, guitar, and drums. He also sang Gospel music in church. His first singing jobs were at an amusement park. There, he sang pop songs and tunes from musicals.

Brownlee went to Anderson University for his first college degree. Then, he went to Indiana University Jacobs School of Music for his advanced studies. He learned from several great teachers there. While in graduate school, he joined the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. He became a lifetime member in 2008.

After his studies, Brownlee joined special programs for young artists. These programs helped him prepare for a professional opera career. He worked with the Seattle Opera and the Wolf Trap Opera Company.

Opera Career Highlights

Brownlee singing for the Italian Prime Minister, 2016

Lawrence Brownlee started his professional career in 2002. His first big role was Almaviva in Rossini's opera The Barber of Seville. He performed this with the Virginia Opera. In 2007, he made his debut at the famous Metropolitan Opera in New York City. He sang in a new show of The Barber of Seville. This role has become one of his most well-known.

He has sung in The Barber of Seville in many major cities. These include Vienna, Milan, Berlin, and Tokyo. He has also performed in other Rossini operas. These include L'italiana in Algeri and La Cenerentola at La Scala in Milan. He also sang in Donizetti's La fille du régiment. In this opera, he sang the very challenging role of Tonio. He also performed as Arturo in I puritani at the Metropolitan Opera.

In 2014, Brownlee and two other tenors, Juan Diego Flórez and Javier Camarena, were called "The Three Tenors." People said they were bringing a "new golden age" to male opera voices.

Brownlee also performs in concerts. He has sung in Handel's Messiah with the Houston Symphony. He has also given many solo concerts. In 2010, he performed for the Supreme Court justices in Washington, D.C. He also gives recitals from his Spiritual Sketches album. This album features new versions of traditional music.

In 2005, Brownlee created a new role in an opera called 1984. This was its first performance ever at the Royal Opera House in London. In 2015, he played the role of Charlie Parker in a new opera called Yardbird. This opera premiered at Opera Philadelphia.

Personal Life

Lawrence Brownlee lives in Niceville, Florida. He lives there with his wife, Kendra, and their two children. He is a big fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers football team. He also enjoys photography and playing table tennis. He is also a very good salsa dancer. In 2015, he sang the national anthem at Heinz Field before a Steelers game.

Awards and Recognition

Lawrence Brownlee has received many important awards for his singing.

• He won the 2005 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. This is a major competition for young opera singers.
• He received the 2006 Richard Tucker Award. This award recognizes a young American opera singer with a promising career.
• He was the winner of the 2007 Marian Anderson Award. This award honors talented young artists.
• In 2008, he won the Opera Company of Philadelphia's Alter Award for Artistic Excellence.
• The Seattle Opera named him Artist of the Year in 2008. This was for his performances as Arturo in Bellini's I puritani.

Recordings

Lawrence Brownlee has made many recordings of his performances.

• Spiritual Sketches – This album features Lawrence Brownlee and Damien Sneed.
• The Heart That Flutters – Lawrence Brownlee with Iain Burnside.
• Virtuoso Rossini Arias – Lawrence Brownlee with the Kaunas City Symphony.
• Maazel: 1984 – This is a recording of the opera where he created a role.
• Orff: Carmina Burana – He sang with the Berlin Philharmonic.
• Italian Songs – This album includes songs by Schubert, Verdi, and Rossini.
• Mayr: Medea in Corinto – A recording of the opera.
• Rossini: Armida – He performed with Renée Fleming.
• Rossini: Il barbiere di Siviglia – A recording of his famous role.
• Rossini: La Cenerentola – Another Rossini opera recording.
• Rossini: L'italiana in Algeri – A recording from the Rossini in Wildbad Festival.
• Rossini: Amici e Rivali - With Michael Spyres.
• Rossini: Stabat Mater – He sang with Anna Netrebko and Joyce DiDonato.
• Rossini Songs (Il Salotto – Volume 13) – A collection of Rossini songs.
• Colbran, The Muse – He sang with Joyce DiDonato.

See also

In Spanish: Lawrence Brownlee para niños